Resistance garments

ABSTRACT

Resistance garments for providing increased benefits of physical exertion are described herein. The resistance garments provide for manual adjustment or automated adjustment of the tension in resistive elements and/or rods. Adjustment devices such as clam cleats, hooks, knobs, ratchet pulleys, spring loaded pulleys, automated resistance devices, and automated ratchet pulleys are disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Application No. 60/750,432, filed Dec. 14, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

A resistance garment worn by a person during aerobic activity may provide greater muscle tone and increased caloric output than would otherwise be possible within a given time period. These increased benefits of physical exertion may, for example, be expressed as improved athletic performance, expedited recovery from injury, and/or maintenance of fitness and health.

Several resistance garments have been described. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,814, titled “One piece elastic body suit”, discloses a jumpsuit having outer and inner cloth sections with elastic band members disposed between the cloth sections. A pair of elastic band members runs from the back of the ankles, over the shoulders, to the front of the ankles in a parallel fashion. Another elastic member encircles the waist.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,428, titled “Exercise device of adjustable resistance for flexing of muscles of the legs and torso”, discloses an elasticized garment having an inverted U-shape. The center of the garment is attached to a rear waist portion of the wearer. A pair of elongated, descending members falls over the hamstrings and attaches above each of the wearer's knees. The garment is especially designed for walking or running where the descending members resist the forward motion of the wearer's legs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,600, titled “Aerobic resistance exercise garment”, discloses a garment including stretchable, elastic webbing between each arm and the torso, and also interconnecting the leg portions with each other. The garment further includes a plurality of pockets to hold optional weights.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,186,701, 5,306,222, and 5,720,042, disclose garments having a compressive structure, for better muscular alignment and less muscle fatigue, combined with longitudinal resistive elements, such as elastic bands, strips or cords. The compressive structure may be a series of compressive cuffs, or a suit made in whole or part of a compressive material, such as Lycra®. Resistive bands may be attached to anchor points on the compressive cuffs, gloves or socks/shoes.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a resistance garment includes a first cuff and a second cuff, the first cuff and the second cuff circumscribing a portion of a wearer's body; an adjustment device fixedly attached to the first cuff; and a resistive element connecting the first cuff and the second cuff, wherein the resistive element couples with the adjustment device.

In one embodiment, a method of providing a resistance garment to increase the benefits of physical exertion includes applying a first cuff and a second cuff to a wearer's body, the first cuff and the second cuff circumscribing a portion of the wearer's body; providing an adjustment device fixedly attached to the first cuff; and connecting the adjustment device of the first cuff and the second cuff with a resistive element.

In one embodiment, a resistance garment includes at least one resistive plate device to be worn by a person, the resistive plate device having a plurality of baffles, wherein each baffle is secured to at least one neighboring baffle by a rubberized material.

In one embodiment, a resistance garment includes a first cuff disposed at a distal end of a body part; a second cuff disposed at a proximal end of the body part; and a rod connecting the first cuff and the second cuff.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a non-adjustable resistance garment.

FIG. 2 shows a manually adjustable resistance garment according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an arm portion of a resistance garment incorporating an adjustable rod mechanism according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an arm portion of a resistance garment incorporating a flexible rod mechanism according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of a ratchet pulley according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of the ratchet pulley of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the ratchet pulley of FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 shows a side perspective view of a spring loaded pulley according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a top plan view of the spring loaded pulley of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional side view of the spring loaded pulley of FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 shows a manually adjustable resistance garment utilizing a ratchet pulley system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows an arm portion of the resistance garment of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a leg portion of the resistance garment of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 shows an arm portion of a resistance garment according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows an upper body portion of a resistance garment according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows the resistance garment of FIG. 11 including webbing according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows resistive plate devices according to several embodiments.

FIG. 18 shows cross-sectional views of resistive plate devices according to several embodiments.

FIG. 19 shows a resistance garment utilizing resistive plate devices according to one embodiment.

FIG. 20 shows a resistance garment utilizing resistive plate devices and resistive elements according to one embodiment.

FIG. 21 shows an automated resistance garment according to one embodiment.

FIG. 22 shows a partial cut-away view of an automated resistance device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional side view of an automated ratchet pulley according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Resistance garments may be worn by a person during exercise and/or during daily activities. For example, athletes may combine strength training with cardiovascular training by wearing a resistance garment during an aerobic activity. In another example, a form-fitting resistance garment may be worn under a person's everyday clothes, and the applied resistance may help a sedentary person, or a person experiencing reduced gravity (e.g., an astronaut), maintain muscle tone.

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, where like numbers represent similar elements in multiple figures. Numbering without parentheses is used to denote a genus (e.g., resistive elements 110), whereas numbering with parentheses denotes a species within a genus (e.g., resistive element 110(2)). Multiple elements within a figure may not be labeled for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 1 shows a non-adjustable resistance garment 100. Resistance garment 100 includes a plurality of cuffs 102 that each circumscribe a portion of a wearer's body. Cuffs 102 may themselves form independent items of clothing, they many form a distinct part of a larger item of clothing, or they may form an indistinguishable portion of an item of clothing. In one embodiment, cuffs 102 may be fabricated from a stiff, semi-flexible plastic, such as polyethylene or polyvinylchloride. The circumference of a plastic cuff may be adjusted by one or more fasteners. In another embodiment, cuffs 102 may be fabricated from a compressive material, such as rubber or spandex. Generally, cuffs 102 should be stiff enough to support any components mounted thereon and secured to the body such that they do not become significantly displaced when a longitudinal force is applied thereto. Resistive elements 110 are fixedly secured to cuffs 102 and may, for example, be elastomeric fibers, cords or straps. Optionally, cuffs 102 worn on the wrists may be attached to gloves 108 or thumb stirrups; cuffs 102 worn on the ankles may be attached to foot coverings 106 (e.g., shoes, socks, booties, foot stirrups); and a harness 104 may be worn around the chest and shoulders to secure resistive elements 110 to the torso of a wearer. As shown and described, resistance garment 100 provides a constant amount of resistance set by the elasticity of non-adjustable resistive elements 110.

It may, however, be desirable to alter the level of applied resistance from day-to-day or even during the course of a workout. For example, as a person becomes stronger through the use of a resistance garment, it may be necessary to increase resistance in order to continue to provide the benefits of resistance training. In another example, a person may warm-up at the beginning of a workout using light resistance and then increase the resistance as the workout progresses. FIG. 2 shows a manually adjustable resistance garment 200. Resistance garment 200 includes a plurality of cuffs 102 that anchor resistive elements 110. In one embodiment, resistive elements 110 are sewn or otherwise permanently attached to a cuff 102 at a distal part of an appendage, while a cuff 102 at a proximal part of an appendage contains an adjustment device 202. In another embodiment, all cuffs 102 in resistance garment 200 contain adjustment devices 202, which provide for rapid, on-the-fly adjustments in the tension of resistive elements 110. One or both ends of resistive element 110 may be secured by adjustment devices 202. For example, adjustment devices 202 may be clam cleats that hold resistive elements 110 in the form of dynamic ropes. In another example, adjustment devices 202 may be hooks that hold resistive elements 110 in the form of fibers having eyelets that fit over the hooks. It will be appreciated that other adjustment devices 202 that fall within the spirit and scope of those described above may form part of resistance garment 200.

FIG. 3 shows an arm portion of a resistance garment having an adjustable rod mechanism 300. Rod mechanism 300 includes a plurality of rods 302 that are anchored to cuffs 102 by securing means 304. Securing means 304 may freely rotate around a central axis 306, and rods 302 may pivot with respect to rivets 308. Neighboring rods 302 may be connected by one or more resistive elements 110, and the tension of resistive elements 110 may be adjusted, for example, by turning a knob 310 that is connected to a terminal end of resistive element 110. It will be appreciated that tensioning devices other than knobs 310 may be used, and that both ends of a resistive element 110 may be connected to tensioning devices.

In an alternate embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, one or more rods 402 having flexibility along a longitudinal axis may be attached to cuffs 102. The one or more rods 402 may be fixedly attached to the cuffs, or they may be attached by securing means 404. Securing means 404 may allow rods 402 to be interchanged so that resistance may be altered as desired. Suitable securing means 404 include, for example, a plastic or metal socket disposed on a cuff for receiving an end of the flexible rod, a pin for penetrating a hole provided in the end of the flexible rod, and other means known in the art. As shown by the dashed outline in FIG. 4, flexible rod(s) 402 bend to provide resistance that is determined by the radius or thickness of the rod and the modulus of elasticity of the fabrication material. In one example, a flexible rod 402 is fabricated from fiberglass, carbon fiber and/or carbon nanotubes.

Another adjustment device that is contemplated for use with the resistance garments described herein is a novel ratchet pulley. FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of a ratchet pulley 500. Ratchet pulley 500 as shown is a dual pulley having a top layer 504 and a bottom layer 506, where a housing 505(1) and 505(2) of each layer 504, 506 rotates independently in opposite (or similar) directions. Each housing 505 holds a resistive element 110 threaded through a hole 502 and fixedly secured inside housing 505, e.g., by tying resistive element 110 into a knot inside housing 505. Holes 502 may be drilled at regular intervals around the circumference of housing 505 to provide versatile and/or multiple attachment positions. Further, multiple rows of holes may be drilled in housing 505 of each layer 504, 506. Ratchet pulley 500 also includes a cap 508 that includes engaging/disengaging mechanisms 510. The top plan view of FIG. 6 provides greater detail of the ratchet pulley of FIG. 5. Cap 508 does not rotate, but each of engaging/disengaging mechanisms 510(1) and 510(2) rotates independently within cap 508 to move a clutch 602, which engages or disengages a gear 604. Gears 604(1) and 604(2) rotate around central axle 606. FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of ratchet pulley 500. It can be seen that gears 604(1) and 604(2) are stacked vertically along central axle 606. Central axle 606 is fixedly attached to base 702 to prevent cap 508 from rotating. Cap 508 contains engaging/disengaging mechanisms 510, which operate clutches 602 via clutch axles 704. Each gear 604 is attached to housing 505 of its respective layer 504, 506 through an auxiliary axle 706. Thus, gear 604(1), for example, rotates when housing 505(1) rotates. Gear 604(1), housing 505(1) and resistive element(s) 110 attached thereto are locked into place by clutch 602(1). Gear 604(1) may be unlocked using engaging/disengaging mechanism 510(1) when it is desirable to release tension in resistive element 110.

FIG. 8 shows a side perspective view of a spring loaded pulley 800. Spring loaded pulley 800 is shown as a dual pulley having external features, such as layers 504, 506, housing 505, and holes 502, similar to those described above with reference to ratchet pulley 500, FIGS. 5-7. FIG. 9 shows a top plan view of the spring loaded pulley 800 of FIG. 8. Torsion springs 802 are fixedly mounted on a spring mounting axle 804. Torsion springs 802 may, for example, be affixed to spring mounting axle 804 by an adhesive or by threading a portion of torsion spring 802 through mounting axle 804. A spring arm 806 of torsion spring 802 abuts an arm stop 808. FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional side view of spring loaded pulley 800. Spring mounting axle 804 is fixedly attached to base 702, but does not touch top portion 1002 of layer 504. Force on arm stop 808(1) from spring arm 806(1) will cause housing 505(1), and any resistive element(s) 110 attached thereto, to rotate in a direction that releases spring tension unless a counter force is applied on resistive element 110.

The resistance of spring loaded pulley 800 may be manually set by twisting housing 505 in the direction of increasing spring tension. At the position of desired resistance, resistive element 110 may be anchored in an appropriate hole 502. Alternatively, resistive element 110 may be anchored to spring loaded pulley 800 prior to manually setting the tension of pulley 800 and a distal end of resistive element 110 may be anchored to an adjustment device 202, for example a clam cleat, when the tension of spring loaded pulley 800 is sufficient.

Spring loaded pulley 800 is able to take-in and pay-out resistive element 110 as movement progresses. Therefore, spring loaded pulley 800 may be used with elastomeric resistive elements 110, as described above, or with resistive elements 110 that are non-stretching, static cords, belts, cables, fibers, chains or straps.

It will be appreciated that pulleys for use with the resistance garments described herein may have one, two or more layers (e.g., 504, 506), and that each layer may anchor one or more resistive elements 110.

FIG. 11 shows a manually adjustable resistance garment 1100 utilizing a ratchet pulley system. In this embodiment, resistive elements 110 are routed in a linear manner. For example, resistive elements 110(1) are fixedly attached to anchor points 1102, e.g., a ring or post, and a ratchet pulley 500(1). In another example, shown in greater detail in FIG. 12, resistive elements 110(2) and 110(3) are linearly routed between two ratchet pulleys 500(2) and 500(3). Ring-shaped guides 1104(1) that are positioned on a cuff at a centrally located joint maintain or redirect the path of resistive elements 110(2), 110(3). In yet another example, shown in greater detail in FIG. 13, resistive element 110(4) originates at ratchet pulley 500(4), extends through ring-shaped guide 1104(1), wraps around circular guide 1104(2) and extends back through a second ring-shaped guide 1104(1) to ratchet pulley 500(4). Ratchet pulleys 500, anchor points 1102 and guides 1104 are disposed on cuffs 102 or harness 104.

FIG. 14 shows another arm portion 1400 of a resistance garment. In this embodiment, ratchet pulleys 500 and anchor points 1102 are disposed on shoulder and wrist cuffs 102. Resistive element 110(5) or 110(6) is fixedly attached to an anchor point 1102, loops around guide 1104(2) on the wearer's elbow, and terminates at a ratchet pulley 500.

FIG. 15 shows an upper body portion 1500 of a resistance garment utilizing a ratchet pulley system. In this embodiment, resistive elements 110(7) and 110(8) begin at an anchor points 1102 and extend through ring-shaped guides 1104(1) to ratchet pulleys 500(5). The embodiment of FIG. 15 provides resistance when an arm is bent and/or abducted from the torso.

FIG. 16 shows a resistance garment 1600 including webbing 1602. The resistance garment shown is similar to the resistance garment shown in FIG. 11; however, webbing 1602 resists abduction of an arm from the torso.

Another device that is contemplated for use with the resistance garments described herein is a resistive plate device. FIGS. 17A-B shows exemplary resistive plate devices 1700 which may be worn on a joint, e.g., an elbow. Resistive plate devices 1700 contain baffles 1702 that are relatively stiff and may, for example, be made of plastic or metal. Each baffle 1702 is able to partially slide over or under a neighboring baffle, which allows the resistive plate device 1700 to compress and expand. A cuff 102 may be worn under the resistive plate device 1700 to prevent friction with or pinching of the skin. Cuff 102 may be made of a compressive material, as described above, and may be fixedly attached to resistive plate device 1700 in order to keep device 1700 from becoming displaced. In some embodiments, it may be desirable for baffles 1702 to be disposed on only one portion of resistive plate device 1700. For example, cuff 102 may circumscribe a wearer's joint and baffles 1702 may be attached to only the front or back of cuff 102, to reduce production costs and/or to provide greater comfort to a user.

Mechanical friction may result from contact between neighboring baffles 1702 when they slide over and/or under one another. However, resistive plate devices 1700 may also contain mechanical elements that provide resistance. FIGS. 18A-C show such mechanical elements in longitudinal cross-sectional views of resistive plate devices 1700. A flexible, rubberized material 1802 may secure baffles 1702 to one another, as well as inhibit compression and extension of resistive plate device 1700. FIG. 18B shows the use of springs 1804 in addition to rubberized material 1802. In one example of fabrication, springs 1804 are welded to resistive plate device 1700. FIG. 18C shows a resistive plate device 1700 including one or more elastomeric lines 1806. Elastomeric lines 1806 may, for example, be secured to resistive plate device 1700 by a plurality of ring-shaped guides 1104(1) and by tying the ends of elastomeric lines 1806 to eyelets 1810, which form part of terminal baffles 1702(1) and 1702(2).

FIG. 19 shows a resistance garment 1900 utilizing resistive plate devices 1700. As shown, resistive plate devices 1700 may be worn at various positions on the body including shoulder, elbow, waist, and knee positions. Resistive plate devices 1700 may be applied individually, or a plurality of devices may form part of a garment, e.g., a one-piece suit, pants, or a shirt.

FIG. 20 shows a resistance garment 2000 utilizing resistive plate devices 1700 and resistive elements 110. It will be appreciated that resistance garment 2000 may also include adjustment devices as described herein, e.g., clam cleats, ratchet pulleys, spring loaded pulleys, automated resistance devices and automated ratchet pulleys, and that such adjustment devices may be mounted on resistive plate devices 1700.

FIG. 21 shows an automated resistance garment 2100. Resistance garment 2100 includes automated resistance devices 2102 that apply or release tension according to a user input, or a learned pattern of resistance. FIG. 22 shows a partial cut-away view of automated resistance device 2102. Automated resistance device 2102 contains a battery 2208, or other power supply, for powering a motor 2212 that turns a dowel 2202. Dowel 2202 contains slots 2204 that receive balls 2206 from an end of resistive element 110. Battery 2208 also provides power to circuitry 2210, which provides instructions to motor 2212. Further, circuitry 2210 may communicate with other automated resistance devices 2102 by wireless signals transmitted and/or received by an antennae 2214. For example, automated resistance devices 2102 may receive program instructions and timing synchronization from a remote device or from a master automated resistance device 2102. A remote device or master automated resistance device has a user input for receiving program instructions. For example, program instructions may simulate a hill workout while a person runs on a flat surface, or the program may be used in rehabilitation to perform range of motion exercises.

Automated resistance device 2102 may also measure the load on motor 2212. For example, circuitry 2210 may operate to keep the load on motor 2212 constant. Signals containing information about the load and motor compensation pattern may be sent by antennae 2214 to a central processing unit that evaluates and learns the resistance patterns of a person wearing a resistance garment. The data may then be used to customize a resistance training program for an individual wearing an automated resistance garment. This type of evaluation and customization are particularly useful for activities that involve repetitive motion, e.g., running, cycling, cross-country skiing.

FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional side view of an automated ratchet pulley 2300. In addition to those elements described with reference to FIG. 7, automated ratchet pulley 2300 contains a battery 2208, circuitry 2210, an antennae 2214 and a motor 2212, which operate as described with reference to FIG. 22. Motor 2212 is mounted to stationary base 702 and contains rollers 2302 that interface with housing 505(1) and 505(2) of layers 504 and 506, respectively. Rollers 2302 may be smooth rubber rollers or toothed rollers that interface with a grooved surface on the interior of housing 505. For example, movement of roller 2302(1) compels layer 504 to rotate in an opposing direction.

It will be appreciated that the number and positioning of elements described herein may vary from what is expressly shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the resistance garments described herein.

The changes described above, and others, may be made in the methods and systems described herein without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between. 

1. A resistance garment comprising: a first cuff and a second cuff, the first cuff and the second cuff circumscribing a portion of a wearer's body; an adjustment device fixedly attached to the first cuff; and a resistive element connecting the first cuff and the second cuff, wherein the resistive element couples with the adjustment device.
 2. The resistance garment of claim 1, wherein the adjustment device is selected from the group consisting of a clam cleat, a hook, a knob, a ratchet pulley, a spring loaded pulley, an automated resistance device, and an automated ratchet pulley.
 3. The resistance garment of claim 1, further comprising a second adjustment device attached to the second cuff, wherein the resistive element couples with the second adjustment device.
 4. The resistance garment of claim 4, wherein the second adjustment device is selected from the group consisting of a clam cleat, a hook, a knob, a ratchet pulley, a spring loaded pulley, an automated resistance device, and an automated ratchet pulley.
 5. The resistance garment of claim 4, wherein one or more of the first cuff and the second cuff includes a resistance plate device.
 6. The resistance garment of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first cuff and the second cuff includes a resistance plate device.
 7. The resistance garment of claim 1, wherein the cuffs form part of an article of clothing.
 8. The resistance garment of claim 7, wherein the article of clothing is selected from the group consisting of a one-piece suit, pants, a shirt, a glove, a foot covering, and a harness.
 9. The resistance garment of claim 1, further comprising webbing, the webbing resisting abduction of an appendage.
 10. A method of providing a resistance garment to increase the benefits of physical exertion, comprising: applying a first cuff and a second cuff to a wearer's body, the first cuff and the second cuff circumscribing a portion of the wearer's body; providing an adjustment device fixedly attached to the first cuff; and connecting the adjustment device of the first cuff and the second cuff with a resistive element.
 11. A resistance garment comprising: at least one resistive plate device to be worn by a person, the resistive plate device having a plurality of baffles, wherein each baffle is secured to at least one neighboring baffle by a rubberized material.
 12. The resistance garment of claim 11, further comprising one or more resistive elements connecting a pair of the resistive plate devices.
 13. The resistance garment of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of springs that link neighboring baffles.
 14. The resistance garment of claim 11, further comprising one or more elastomeric lines.
 15. The resistance garment of claim 11, further comprising an adjustment device mounted on the resistive plate device.
 16. The resistance garment of claim 15, wherein the adjustment device is selected from the group consisting of a clam cleat, a hook, a knob, a ratchet pulley, a spring loaded pulley, an automated resistance device, and an automated ratchet pulley.
 17. A resistance garment comprising: a first cuff disposed at a distal end of a body part; a second cuff disposed at a proximal end of the body part; and a rod connecting the first cuff and the second cuff.
 18. The resistance garment of claim 17, wherein the rod is a flexible rod.
 19. The resistance garment of claim 18, wherein the flexible rod comprises a material selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, carbon fiber aid carbon nanotubes. 